June 03, 2008

Carrie the Caregiver

As we've mentioned here before, we're now working on Packaging Boyhood (if you have a son, check out our survey at http://www.packagingboyhood.com/). Watching Saturday morning commercials aimed at boys these past few weeks has been a real education. We've been struck by the teen urban influence on everything from Kool-Aid to high pressured water guns, and of course who can miss all the trailers for movies too mature for little boys to see, like Ironman, The Dark Knight, and Indiana Jones, or the focus on sports, martial arts, and super fast cars. Maybe it's the contrast to all that energy and action, but we were completely taken aback by a commercial for the video game, "Carrie the Caregiver". Maybe it's the pressure to be all things to all those needy campers at "Camp Funshine", the energy it takes to "keep the chaos at bay" at her preschool, or the all-nighters she must pull when "things get crazy at the maternity ward", but wide-eyed smiley Carrie is looking more than a little overwhelmed. Could it be the super stress of tapping into the "super-Caregiver within". The message to boys about over-the-top action has its own problems, but at least the boys get out once in a while and have a little fun. Of course, it's easy to do if they can count on Carrie to stay home and take care of everyone and everything.

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As one who has finally conquered 'The Disease to Please' after much introspective, sociological deconstruction (and um, some personal reverb) I must say, as harmless as this message of caregiving appears to be, there's a big red flag here for me on the 'behavioral patterning' front.

On the positive side, their positioning shows they're at least trying to factor in 'self-care' and 'personal happiness' as you can read by this description on their site's 'about' section,
"fulfilling her deep desire to offer care and love to those in need while seeking out her own dreams of happiness and well-being. With her supervisor Nurse Grettle always at her side, Carrie learns the tricks of the trade to better manage those under her care as well as tend to herself."

Fascinating...I haven't heard much about it from a traction standpoint, so will delve deeper for a post on Shaping Youth no doubt...thanks for this.

Excuse me, but I'm a 15 year old female who had to read your book for summer reading. My friend and I (after reading the book) searched the web for reviews and found your website. I must say that I am a HUGE fan of Batman and saw The Dark Knight as soon as it came out into theaters and I absolutely ADORE Ironman and other comics. You need to understand that even though most of this is marketed towards boys, they're not telling the consumers that only boys can be interested in the products. There is no law that a girl can't like Batman and Carrie at the same time. Not that I like Carrie, but as a kid I probably would have. Who cares about these small things? My friend wants to let you know that by saying all these nasty stereotypes, you're acting as if it's horrible for a girl to like pink or play with dolls. You're acting as if we don't know the difference. We're not ignorant.
You know, you are so negative. How about something good to say for once? Plus, things change over time! The way you grew up is different from the way we did. I think you need to stop living in yesterday and write about now! (Not saying you're old or anything heehee) Look, everyone has come a long way concerning stereotypes and women have power and so do men. So quit whining and stop picking apart everything little thing you see, read, or hear. Sure, some people are biased but who gives a crap as long as they're not bugging anyone. So please, stop whining and get over yourselves.
Thanks!

I don't get it. You are complaining because Carrie is caregiving....a traditional woman role. She also travel and write songs and learn very much. I don't get your issue with this, but maybe it is my culure.

I actually thought this a rather endearing game. I for one adore children, especially babies, and don't find it wrong that this girl has chosen a career in the medical feild. After all, a caregiver is just that, a caretaker, whether it be of the old and the young. Who will care for you when you're in a nursing home?

This game shows career advancement.

In my opinion this girl is game. She keeps going and going. I would hope my children would follow in her footsteps.

Check out Diaper Dash...male lead...in a "female" career! How cool is that?! Yes, you get more points for giving girls seats with pink and boys with blue flags. Fine. A boy can like blue and a girl can like pink.